Study proposes light at U.S. 62/Ohio 661

NEWARK – A study by the Ohio Department of Transportation has recommended a traffic light be installed at the intersection of Ohio 661 and U.S. 62.

Installation of a traffic light likely would take about a year and a half and cost more than $800,000. Funding for the project has not been finalized, but that could happen later this month.

The proposal also would add left-turn lanes on U.S. 62.

The study was done to evaluate the intersection and look at possible solutions to lower the number of crashes.

According to the study, 14 crashes occurred at the intersection between 2011 and 2013. Nine of those crashes were "angle crashes," more commonly known as T-bone crashes.

Seven of the angle crashes were caused by a driver on Ohio 661 who failed to yield and pulled out in front of traffic on U.S. 62 and the majority of the drivers at fault were not from the area, according to the study.

Area drivers reacted positively to the proposal.

"It's about time it happens. Hopefully this will help," Joy Gleason wrote on The Advocate's Facebook page.

Several people commented about the issue of fatal crashes at the intersection being a catalyst for the proposed change. During the period of data used for the study, between 2011 and 2013, one fatal crash was reported at that intersection.

Two fatal crashes were reported at the intersection between 2010 and Feb. 5 of this year, according to statistics gathered by The Advocate.

The intersection currently has rumble strips on Ohio 661, but time has worn those strips down. They are expected to be repaired when repaving is done on the road in the coming weeks.

Not everyone is thrilled about the proposal. Some expressed skepticism that anything would change with a traffic light.

"I drive that intersection three to four times a week and I usually see one to two cars per week run the stop sign," Meredith Kennedy wrote. "If people can't stop for a sign I just see a lot of yellow light runners and more accidents."

View the entire safety study at www.newarkadvocate.com.